Gen. W. S. Hancock.

“It Has Been a Complete Waterloo for you, General.”

General Winfield Scott Hancock was one of the bravest presidential candidates on record. At the close of five months of hard campaigning he returned home and after a hearty meal about 7 o'clock in the evening announced his intention of retiring for a good night's rest. It was the evening of election day, and he requested his wife, who was sleepless from excitement, to see to it that he should not be disturbed by any news which might arrive before morning until after daylight, he insisted. At dawn Mrs. Hancock steeled herself for the ordeal and stole on tiptoe into his room. He was sleeping sweetly, and she could not make up her mind to wake him. An hour later she made a second venture. The doughty general was still oblivious to all external impressions. His ability to sleep under the circumstances irritated her, and she gave him a rousing shake. “Well?” he queried somnolently. “It has been a complete Waterloo for you general,” she faltered. “All right, dear,” he said cheerfully. Then he turned over and resumed his nap.

Statesmen Who Have Narrowly Missed the Presidency., The Topeka state Journal, Saturday Evening October 22, 1904, Last Edition.

Read this anecdote in Mrs. Hancock's own words:

How he received the news of his defeat., Reminiscences of Winfield Scott Hancock, by by Almira Russell Hancock, 1887, Chapter XVIII, page 172.